City and Quality of Life

This unique and insightful work examines the importance of ''quality of life'' for the city which has become a key component of urban competitiveness over the past 30 years. It argues that having a high or low ''quality of life'' will have important consequences for the vitality and status of any city.

Throughout the book, emphasis is placed upon the skilled, highly mobile and generally younger labour force who choose the city in which they want to work and live based on the ''quality of life'' elements offered to them. Consequently, there is mounting pressure on today''s cities and the firms in their economies to create environments that are attractive to the new-age of the workforce and the key resource in the economy. The book''s eight substantive chapters explore this issue by each examining a distinct element that comprises ''quality of life'', including the approach of economists to quality of life, links to urban competitiveness, the economy, urban amenities and attributes.

Providing an original perspective on contemporary cities and their economies, The City and Quality of Life will be essential reading for city and company leaders who implement policy and wish to further understand the attributes of ''quality of life'' for their citizens. It will also be useful for researchers, university professors and students in disciplines such as economics and finance, geography and urban studies.